I remember the first time I tried to make mini Bakewell tartsโI thought, โHow hard can it be?โ Well, I quickly learned that underbaked pastry and overzealous jam donโt mix. My first batch bubbled over, stuck to the tin like concrete, and looked more like jam puddings than tarts.
But I wasnโt giving up. Thereโs something so joyful about these little almondy, jam-filled bites. They’re like a hug in tart form. So I tested again, and again, tweaking the jam quantity (a smidge less is best), chilling the pastry properly, and learning exactly when to pull them from the oven. Let me show you how I fixed it.
Why This One Works So Well
The almond sponge is light but rich, thanks to a precise ratio of ground almonds to egg and butter. What surprised me most was how much chilling the pastry really matters. Most recipes gloss over that bit, but skip it and your tarts will shrink or puff awkwardly.
Also, baking them on a preheated tray underneath gives that golden crisp bottom that shops never seem to get right. This version just feels finished, you know?
INGREDIENTS + WHY THEY MATTER
- Plain Flour โ Keeps the pastry tender. I once used self-raising by mistake… they puffed and collapsed. Donโt do that.
- Cold Butter โ Makes the base flaky and rich. Soft butter turns it greasy.
- Icing Sugar โ Gives the pastry a soft, biscuit-like bite. Granulated makes it too gritty.
- Ground Almonds โ Adds texture and moisture to the filling. Essentialโno decent swap.
- Raspberry Jam โ Tartness balances the sweet sponge. I tested strawberry onceโit was far too sweet.
- Almond Extract โ That classic Bakewell flavour. Just half a teaspoon is plenty.
- Glacรฉ Cherries โ Optional but nostalgic. I grew up picking them off, now I love them.
Making It Yours (Without Ruining It)
- Gluten-Free: I tested this with Doves Farm GF plain flour. Still crisp, though a bit more delicateโfreeze the cases before filling.
- No Almond Extract? Leave it out if needed, but double-check your jam is raspberry to keep that Bakewell tang.
- Fruit Swaps: Cherry jam worked beautifully. Apricot… not so much. Too mellow.
- Egg-Free? Havenโt tested a full version yetโbut flax egg didnโt bind the pastry properly in my trial.
MISTAKES IโVE MADE (AND HOW TO AVOID THEM)
What Went Wrong | Why It Happens | How to Fix It |
---|---|---|
Pastry shrank in the tin | Didnโt chill the dough | Always chill lined tin for 30+ mins |
Jam bubbled over | Added too much | Use just a small dollopโยฝ tsp max |
Almond filling overflowed | Cases were underfilled w/ jam | Leave spaceโdonโt fill to the brim |
Soggy bottoms | Tin went in cold | Heat a baking tray and place the tin on it |
HOW TO MAKE MARY BERRYโS MINI BAKEWELL TARTS
- Prep the Tin
Grease your bun tin and pop a baking sheet in the oven to preheat (200ยฐC / 180ยฐC fan). - Make Pastry
Blitz flour and cold butter until it looks like breadcrumbs. Add icing sugar and beaten egg. Knead lightly, roll to 3mm thick, cut 8cm discs, and line the tin. Chill 30 minutes. - Make Filling
Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, ground almonds, almond extract. Donโt panic if it curdles a bitโit bakes out fine. - Assemble
Prick the pastry bases. Add a tiny blob of raspberry jam. Top with almond mixture. - Bake
Place tin on hot tray. Bake 15โ18 minutes until golden and risen. Cool in the tin 5 mins, then move to a rack. - Ice & Finish
Once cool, mix icing sugar with water (a little goes a long way). Drizzle over, pop a cherry half on each, and let set.

TIPS FROM MY KITCHEN
- I use an old metal bun tinโit gives better colour than non-stick.
- If your fillingโs spreading too much, it might be too warmโchill the filled cases for 10 minutes before baking.
- Donโt skip pricking the baseโit really helps avoid soggy bottoms.
- If your icing is too runny, sift in a little extra sugarโdonโt just keep stirring.
STORAGE + SERVING
- Room Temp: Best eaten in 2 days, but fine for 4 in a tin.
- Fridge: Not needed unless itโs hotโpastry can go soft.
- Freeze: Yes. Before icing works best. Freeze flat, then thaw and ice later.
- Serve With: Hot tea, always. Or warm slightly and add a spoon of custardโgame changer.
FAQs โ Real Query Answers
Q: Can I use shop-bought pastry?
A: You can, but the flavour wonโt be as richโand itโs often too thick. If you must, roll it thinner than you think.
Q: Why do my tarts puff up weirdly?
A: Usually overfilling. Almond mix rises a lot. Fill about two-thirds full and leave some rim showing.
Q: Can I make these in muffin tins?
A: Yes, but theyโll be deeperโbake 2โ3 minutes longer and reduce the filling a smidge.
Q: Do they need to be kept in the fridge?
A: Nope. Airtight tin on the counter is fine unless your kitchenโs super warm.
More Mary Berry Recipe:
- Mary Berry Sultana Tea Loaf
- Mary Berry Lemon Lime Traybake
- Mary Berry Confetti Traybake
- Mary Berry Bakewell Tart
Mary Berry Mini Bakewell Tarts
Course: DessertsCuisine: BritishDifficulty: Easy12
servings30
minutes18
minutes250
kcalButtery pastry, sweet raspberry jam, and almond spongeโthese mini Bakewell tarts are a classic British teatime favourite made small.
Ingredients
- For the Pastry
150g (5oz) plain flour, plus extra for dusting
75g (3oz) butter, cubed, plus extra for greasing
35g (1ยผoz) icing sugar
1 small egg, beaten
- For the Filling
100g (4oz) butter, softened
100g (4oz) caster sugar
3 eggs
100g (4oz) ground almonds
ยฝ tsp almond extract
60g (2ยฝoz) raspberry jam
- For the Topping
6 glacรฉ cherries, halved, to decorate
100g (4oz) icing sugar
About 3 tsp water
Directions
- Preheat oven to 200ยฐC (180ยฐC fan). Grease 12-hole bun tin. Heat a baking tray inside oven.
- Blitz or rub together flour and butter. Add sugar, egg. Knead into dough. Roll 3mm thick, cut 8cm circles, line tin. Chill 30 mins.
- Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, almonds, almond extract.
- Prick pastry bases. Add ยฝ tsp jam. Spoon in filling (donโt overfill).
- Bake on hot tray 15โ18 mins. Cool completely.
- Mix icing. Spoon over tarts. Top with cherry half. Let set.
Notes
- I use an old metal bun tinโit gives better colour than non-stick.
- If your fillingโs spreading too much, it might be too warmโchill the filled cases for 10 minutes before baking.
- Donโt skip pricking the baseโit really helps avoid soggy bottoms.
- If your icing is too runny, sift in a little extra sugarโdonโt just keep stirring.